I have been waiting for all my daffodil bulbs to arrive so I can get them planted. This afternoon I met the UPS man at the door when I heard him drive up. I knew the last of the bulbs were here at last. A couple of weeks ago I went to a Master Gardener Meeting and heard "The Bulb Hunter" speak. He was a wonderful speaker who has a company called Southern Bulb Company. He has hunted bulbs all over Texas. Very interesting story--go
here and read all about it. After the program, we were able to purchase a few varieties of bulbs. I bought
Lilac Wonder tulips and
Golden Dawn narcissus which I planted today. I also ordered heirloom daffodil bulbs from
Old House Gardens. That's what arrived today. You know how I love fragrance in the garden, and it's no different with bulbs. I always try and find the best bulbs for Texas that have the best scents. I planted 3 types today:
Sweetness,
Trevithian, and
Campernelle. I also planted some of these last year. Which brings me to the next subject....what is going on with last year's bulbs?
Do you see what I am finding in my yard..
Daffodils are coming up in front and in back..look at this!
And look how big this one has gotten. Oh dear, oh dear. I talked to a master gardener expert, and she said this same premature sprouting is happening in every one's garden around this area. She thinks it is because we had that a cold spell, then quite a warm up soon after. Are the poor bulbs confused? I am not sure, I just know I don't want to be disappointed this coming spring when I watch for spring blooms and see none. My MG friend said to be sure and mulch the appearing bulbs very good. So not only did I plant today, I mulched--and mulched again. It turned out to be a perfect day for planting. Right after I finished tucking the bulbs in the ground and covering with the mulch, a soft rain started to fall. I sat on the patio and watched the delicate rain hit the flower beds and pictured what these beds will hopefully look like in a few months. I have tulip bulbs chilling in the frig-I will plant them in December. That will end my gardening for a while I guess. As much as I like to be out getting my hands dirty, I look forward to sitting in front of a fire for a while and dreaming of gardens yet to come!
I have been waiting for all my daffodil bulbs to arrive so I can get them planted. This afternoon I met the UPS man at the door when I heard him drive up. I knew the last of the bulbs were here at last. A couple of weeks ago I went to a Master Gardener Meeting and heard "The Bulb Hunter" speak. He was a wonderful speaker who has a company called Southern Bulb Company. He has hunted bulbs all over Texas. Very interesting story--go here and read all about it. After the program, we were able to purchase a few varieties of bulbs. I bought Lilac Wonder tulips and Golden Dawn narcissus which I planted today. I also ordered heirloom daffodil bulbs from Old House Gardens. That's what arrived today. You know how I love fragrance in the garden, and it's no different with bulbs. I always try and find the best bulbs for Texas that have the best scents. I planted 3 types today: Sweetness, Trevithian, and Campernelle. I also planted some of these last year. Which brings me to the next subject....what is going on with last year's bulbs? 
Do you see what I am finding in my yard..
Daffodils are coming up in front and in back..look at this!
And look how big this one has gotten. Oh dear, oh dear. I talked to a master gardener expert, and she said this same premature sprouting is happening in every one's garden around this area. She thinks it is because we had that a cold spell, then quite a warm up soon after. Are the poor bulbs confused? I am not sure, I just know I don't want to be disappointed this coming spring when I watch for spring blooms and see none. My MG friend said to be sure and mulch the appearing bulbs very good. So not only did I plant today, I mulched--and mulched again. It turned out to be a perfect day for planting. Right after I finished tucking the bulbs in the ground and covering with the mulch, a soft rain started to fall. I sat on the patio and watched the delicate rain hit the flower beds and pictured what these beds will hopefully look like in a few months. I have tulip bulbs chilling in the frig-I will plant them in December. That will end my gardening for a while I guess. As much as I like to be out getting my hands dirty, I look forward to sitting in front of a fire for a while and dreaming of gardens yet to come!
16 comments:
I love choosing and planting bulbs for the spring. Whenever anyone shows photos of their new bulb packages, I always have to enlarge the picture and check out which ones and what they look like. :)
It looks like your daffodils were tricked into thinking winter had come and gone. With luck the mulch blanket will help them.
I thought it was kinda out of place that the daffodils in the backyard were coming up....OH MY! I'm picking things up slowly but surely...lol... I'll be adding a little mulching to my guys "to-do" list this weekend...I'd had to lose our daffodils, I really do enjoy them *grin*
It was good seeing and hearing from you today. Glad you are passing on the information you have been learning about bulbs.
Northern Shade-I guess they were confused. I have had them show up in January, but never in November! I am really unsure about them blooming.
JJ--add that mulch..and tell Mom! I am really kind of upset to see these guys...way too early!
MR--I am curious if anyone else mentions seeing bulbs. Probably not as I think this is only happening in the metroplex.
Good to see you today--if only for a minute or two! :)
I like bulbs but don't purchase them. Guess that's because I can't get down to ground level anymore.
Oh no, that is terrible that you have bulbs sprouting already! Gulp!
Lola- I love bulbs, but they are tough to plant. I think it's that dream of spring that makes me plant more every year! :)
meemsyc- I know! I am so afraid that means no spring blooms. Good thing I planted more!
Gotta love those bulbs! Such optimism to plant them. I have seen daffys come up prematurely here too. I think I don't plant mine deep enough but shhhh-they still bloom nicely in the spring.
Good choices Linda! Yep some of mine are coming up as well. I'm sure it will be okay come spring. Crossing my fingers (just in case). ;)
Tina- I wondered if not planted deep enough was the problem, but these daffs are from very small bulbs, so I really think I was down deep enough for them. This Texas weather is so crazy!
Racquel-I was surprised you had bulbs coming up too! (but makes me feel better!) :) We will both keep our fingers crossed and hope for beautiful spring blooms!
Bulbs are the most mysterious things in the garden. We plant them and then wait..and wait...and wait. Sometimes they appear in the pattern that we planted them and sometimes they appear where they want to.. helped by a squirrel, or a shift in the soil etc. We can never really know what they will look like when they bloom. Sometimes we get what we ordered and sometimes it's a surprise.It's a miracle, I think, that a beautiful flower can grow from these sometimes unattractive bulbs. Enjoy your time in the garden. Balisha
Balisha--what a beautiful comment! You have put bulb planting in prespective. Planting bulbs is indeed an act of faith...so I am going to have faith and believe in a beautiful spring 2011! :)
Chris is a great speaker ... I just received my bulb order from him last week. I'm thinking, though, that I should give some business to Old House Gardens too!
Cindy-I hope to hear Chris again. It was coming a big storm and we couldn't hear him well. We were outside, but under a cover. He IS a wonderful speaker!
Do give Old House a try. I love their selection and I really like the information sheet you get with your bulbs. This year I even got a personal note from Scott saying he thought the bulbs I chose would love living in Texas!
I think some bulbs are just eager to make an appearance. I've had this happen before too but they always did fine in springtime.
Thanks for letting me know Susie. I have more bulbs that are popping up and I have been really worried about spring! :)
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